November 2, 2006 – Toronto, Ontario – The Royal Winter Agricultural Fair has been named an inaugural inductee into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 5, 2006, during a black-tie gala held at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, ON.

Since the first Royal Agricultural Winter Fair opened on November 22, 1922, it has represented excellence in horse sport and its importance has never diminished. The pinnacle of the show season, the Royal Horse Show brings together competitors, owners, sponsors, supporters, and fans in an atmosphere unlike any other.

International show jumping has been a part of the Royal since its debut, becoming one of the most important and prestigious stops on the North American Tour. The Nations' Cup team competition was introduced in 1925 with the inaugural event comprised of military teams from Belgium, Canada, France and the United States. In the 1950's, civilians were included on Canada's teams for the first time, and the Nations' Cup continued to be one of the most popular competitions at the Royal.

The calibre of international riders presently competing at the Royal remains stronger than ever. With numerous marquee events to showcase both horse and rider, including the CN World Cup Grand Prix, the biggest names in the sport are attracted to Toronto each November. The perfect venue to crown a national champion, the Royal also plays host to the Jump Canada Canadian Show Jumping Championship. In 2006, more than 2,000 horses will compete at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for more than $650,000 in prize money.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's immense contribution to the hunter and jumper industry will be officially recognized in the Jump Canada Hall of Fame in the category of Builder - Organization. Accepting the award on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair will be former President, Jack Pemberton.

"The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is extremely honoured to be among the first inductees into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame," stated Bill Duron, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. "Our long standing tradition of showcasing the best hunter and jumpers in the country is one that we are most proud of."

In addition to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, inaugural inductees into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame include Jumper - Big Ben, Hunter - Just Cruising, Pony - Farnley Soya, Team - The 1968 Olympic Gold Medal Team comprised of James Day riding Canadian Club, James Elder riding The Immigrant, and Tom Gayford riding Big Dee, Rider - Gail Greenough, Sponsor - BMO Financial Group, and Builder (Individual) - Brigadier-General W. Denis Whitaker D.S.O., C.M., E.D., C.D.

Jump Canada is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for all hunter, equitation and jumper activities in Canada from the grass roots to the international level. Jump Canada is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are elected by the stakeholders in the sport. For more information regarding Jump Canada programs and activities, visit www.jumpcanada.ca.